Sermon preached by
The Rev. Fulton Porter, III
at
St. Thomas Church, Chicago, 6/28/09
Mark 5:21-43
Dealing With Issues
25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. Mark 5:25-28
This past week some of us were taken by surprise as we heard the news that perhaps the greatest entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson, died of a cardiac arrest. But for those who followed his deteriorating health over the past two decades, the 50-year-old pop icon's demise may have been less of a surprise, rather the culmination of an assortment of health conditions -- including problems with stress and drugs-- that gradually whittled him down to a frail version of his former self. Acquaintances have said in the past that Jackson was dealing with problems associated with his heavy use of the pain drug Demerol. Perhaps stemming from his need to escape from the issues which haunted his life, including his own abuse as a child, accusations of child molestation and severe financial troubles. He was an eccentric figure who led a troubled life, looking always for the love and acceptance he never felt as a child. Some even ventured to nick name him Wacko Jacko. The fact is, however, that Michael was a complex man with many complex issues and complex problems.
How do you approach the problems that you face every day?Are you a procrastinator? Do you simply put them off until a more convenient time? Do you delude yourself into thinking that your problems do not exist or that they will go away, or do you tackle them head on and solve them to the best of your ability?
For some people problem solving is basic and elementary. There are others whose lives are considerably frustrated by an inability to solve the problems that confront them daily. The matters that concern each of us differ. While some are concerned about family matters, others are faced with problems on the job. Some have legal problems. Others have financial problems. Many youth have problems at school concerning teachers and other students. The question is not whether the faithful will have problems, but how the faithful will respond to problems. There is a best-selling book on the market that deals with the subject of "How to deal with the issues of life." The book is the Holy Bible. It gives us the blue print to dealing with life's issues and how to approach them as they occur.
As a general rule professionals suggest that problem solving requires at least five steps: 1) Make a clear statement of the present problem and the desired result 2) Gain as much information as feasible 3) Consider potential solutions 4) Weigh the consequences 5) Make a decision. These steps tend to lead to a logical resolution of any problem that may confront an individual or a group. Christians must add one step that professionals often overlook. Just before making any decision, we should pray and seek God’s will.
When dealing with the issues of life the world often overlooks the God factor. However, experience has shown that no problem solving plan can be complete unless one considers the "God" factor. When doctors in a sickroom have tried every technique known to man, they are derelict in their duty if they don't also remind their patients of the "God" factor. Marriages facing considerable strain and difficulty could be dismissed as unsalvageable if it were not for the "God factor." Lives discarded as too broken to be repaired would be completely lost if it were not for the "God factor."
Sometimes we think that all hope is gone and that it is too late. But God only works when it is too late. We read in the gospel text today and we see that Jarius had an experience of the God of too late. Jarius had petitioned the master for mercy and healing for his young and previously healthy daughter who had suddenly fallen into the grasp of illness, and we pick up the story as they were on their way to see about her. Before they got there, they got word that it was too late. The girl was already dead. But God is a God who works best when it is too late. And you know the rest of the story. We should never exclude God from our problem solving method. God is the answer to every question and the solution to every problem.
As Christians, we strive to deal with whatever issue life gives us. We tackle that which is impossible and improbable because we are aware that we serve a God that can make the improbable probable. We serve a God who specializes in doing the impossible.
How do we deal with the issue? We take it to God!
This text also focuses on an incident in the life of Christ in which a sick woman was healed by exercising her faith. The incident tells of a time in which Jesus was surrounded by a crowd of people as he passed, only to be touched by a single woman who received a healing blessing as a result. The woman had an "issue of blood." That's another way of saying she had a hemorrhage of some kind. Her condition had existed for 12 years despite the fact that she had consulted all of the best physicians of time. No one was able to cure her disease. Receiving a healing became quite an issue with her. The hemorrhaging complicated her life considerably and she sought a resolution. Adding to the complication was the fact that people who shared her illness were considered unclean under the Mosaic Law. Not only was she considered unclean because of her "issue," anyone she touched was considered unclean as well. The unclean were forbidden from public socialization and forbidden from participation in any part of Israel's public worship life.
The woman heard that a healer from God was in their midst. She made up her mind to deal with the issue of sickness by taking it to the Son of God. Defying all of the laws, she made her way through the crowd, no doubt touching many people as she forged through. She felt she probably wouldn't be able to get a personal interview with him, but concluded in her mind that if she could simply touch the hem of his garment that she would receive the same blessing. After all, God's healing power certainly would not be limited by such a small thing as a personal interview.
The woman's faith was not a perfect faith, based upon a great knowledge of Jesus, for she knew no more about him than what she heard. What had she heard? Perhaps it was accounts of his miraculous healings and cures! Perhaps it was testimonies of others who had seen him perform mighty acts. It became obvious from what she heard that Jesus was some type of man of God who was being used to do mighty acts. She heard about Jesus, she knew about God. Her faith was in the power of God, whom she knew much about. She knew that God had the power regardless of the man. Her faith in God was strong.
When the woman touched Jesus' garment, he immediately felt something. With hundreds of people around him, obviously pushing and shoving out of curiosity, he was able to "feel" the prayerful touch of a woman who had been sick for many years. He felt power going out of him. He sensed that someone had just been healed. When it became known that someone had been healed by the master, the woman told her story to the amazement of the crowd. Jesus responded to her by saying that her faith had made her whole. Her attempts to deal with the issue were futile. She tried every way she knew to solve her problem but had no success. When she heard that Jesus was close by, she took her issue to him. She found healing when she stopped dealing with the issue herself and gave it to Jesus!
Most of us deal with the issues of life from one of two mind sets: faith thinking or logical thinking. Regardless of problems or situations our response usually falls in one of these two categories. Our mind set determines the way in which we will deal with any issue that we face whether it is health, finances, family, business or personal relationships.
Those who think logically use tried and tested processes to achieve an end or solve a problem. They isolate the problem to determine its exact causes then move quickly to eliminate its cause. Repairmen use logical thinking. After learning that there is a problem, they isolate it by narrowing down all of the possible sources of the problem until they get to the right one. Then they fix the problem and send us the bill! There is nothing wrong with logical thinking. Scientists, doctors, and a plethora of professionals in thousands of disciplines use logical thinking successfully every day. Logical thinking, by its nature, excludes the possibility of anything that is not empirical. The auto mechanic does not consider any possible cause for a mechanical failure other than something physically connected to the failure. He won't accept that your car won't start because the "devil got into it!" He excludes that explanation as a possible source of the problem. Moreover, he also excludes the possibility that anything other than a mechanical solution will solve the problem. He will not accept that a Christian can lay hands on the car and it will work again.
While everyone is encouraged to be logical, purely logical thinking has a tendency to exclude all other possibilities. As we mature, we learn to think logically. A child has not fully learned to think logically. He accepts the possibility of a man in a red suit who flies around the world in one night and slides down chimneys that do not exist. In a child's mind, everything is possible, until he learns to become logical! In dealing with the issues of life everyone is encouraged to be as logical as they can. However, Christians are reminded that logical solutions have limitations. It is limited because it proposes solutions and projects outcomes based upon available data. For example, the gloomed faced doctor may meet with a family and say, "All the tests are in. We have the E.K.G., the X-rays and blood tests. Every thing has been tried. Your loved one has about three months!" His prognosis is based on the available data. He is limited to what he can expect because logical thinking leaves him no other alternative.
Faith thinkers begin with logical thinking and use all of its processes. However, the faith thinker does not close the door to possibility! Faith thinkers are those who accept the logical thinking process but consider possibilities that may not be supported by the data. The faith thinker hears the doctor’s report and accepts the data. However, the faith thinker is not limited to the doctor's prognosis! The faith thinker keeps open the possibility that there is a power greater than the situation that can alter the outcome! That is the essence of faith. Hebrews 11 which says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." What that means is that faith is the sum total of all the things you believe are possible even though they are not supported by available facts and data!
In dealing with the issues that life presents to us, we must become faith thinkers. Faith thinkers are logical, but they are not limited in their expectations! The faith thinker is not a fanatic. Neither are faith thinkers mystics or conjurers! Faith thinkers are those who are not intimidated by the improbable or who act cowardly in the face of the impossible! Faith thinkers are logical thinkers who have the added dimension of trusting God!
Finally, brothers and sisters we must consider that those who are dealing with tough issues in their lives should take them to Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood dealt with a silent issue in her life for many years. However she could not successfully resolve the issue until she took it to Jesus. There are many people today who are dealing with issues in their lives, but they are frustrated when they do not succeed.
The disciples came to Jesus and said we have a finance problem. We can't pay our taxes. Jesus told them what to do. He told them how they should go fishing and would find enough money in the mouth of the fish to meet their financial obligations. Somebody here today is dealing with the issue of personal finances. If you take it to Jesus, he will show you the way! A lame man was brought to Jesus who had not walked in many years. His friends brought him to Jesus and lowered him through a roof and found healing that very day. Somebody here is dealing with the issue of personal sickness. If you take it to Jesus, he will give you an answer! A crazy man ran naked through the tombs and his life was possessed by demonic spirits. No one could deal with the issue so they let him run wild. One day he ran upon Jesus and the evil spirits left him. Somebody here today is dealing with issue of being possessed by bad habits and evil tendencies. You've been trying to deal with it by yourself but you were unsuccessful. Give it to Jesus! He will turn things around!
Are you dealing with an issue in your life? Push your way through the crowd and give it to Jesus! Don't say in your mind, "I am insignificant!" or "He doesn't know who I am!" Don't say in your mind, "I haven't been as faithful as I should have been!" Don't say in your mind, "I can't get to him because there are others closer to him!" Push your way through the crowd and say, "If I can but touch the hem of his garment, I will be made whole" If you are dealing with the issue of: FAILURE, he can turn failure into success; SADNESS, he can turn sadness into gladness; SICKNESS, he can turn it into good health! BURDENS, he can take your burdens and make them light! DEFEAT, he can take your defeat and turn it into victory! LOSSES, he can take your losses and turn them into gains! HEARTACHES, I know a God who specializes in mending broken hearts! TROUBLED MARRIAGE, I know a God who can turn your old lady into the first lady, who can turn your old man into the King of the Castle! IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS LOST GENERATION, I know a God who can take Gangsta Rap and turn it into a Saint's testimony! Push your way through the crowd; reach out and touch the hem of his garment and his blood shall make you whole!
Amen!
